Preview: Panthers at Blues, Saturday

October 4, 2013|By Harvey Fialkov, Sun Sentinel

When/Where: 8 p.m., Scottrade Center, St. Louis

TV: FSN; Radio: 740-WSBR

Scouting report: After winning their third straight season opener under coach Kevin Dineen, the Panthers face a sterner test in the Blues. They've been bounced out of the playoffs by the Kings in two straight years, but many pundits have tabbed them for a Stanley Cup run. The Blues are coming off a home-opening 4-2 win over Nashville in which they chased Predators G Pekka Rinne in the first period after two goals by Vladimir Sobotka and T.J. Oshie. The Blues lost top-six F Andy McDonald to retirement, but signed top-six C Derek Roy. Their defense, which allowed the second fewest goals last season, is anchored by former Panthers D Jay Bouwmeester and G Jaroslav Halak, who's 7-1 with an 1.86 GAA vs. Florida. The Panthers are 3-9-1 in St. Louis. Panthers F Sean Bergenheim (groin) is getting closer, but D Ed Jovanovski (hip) is out.